Hyannis Farmers’ Market: The show must grow on

Tuesday

Jun 30, 2009 at 2:00 AMJun 30, 2009 at 3:18 PM

Despite the lack of sunshine, the rain held off through the very gray Wednesday morning last week as the Hyannis farmers market set up shop at the top of Main Street. It was the second week of the market’s fifth year in business.

Kurstin Reuschel

Despite the lack of sunshine, the rain held off through the very gray Wednesday morning last week as the Hyannis farmers market set up shop at the top of Main Street. It was the second week of the market’s fifth year in business.

The Hyannis farmer’s market, one of several on Cape Cod, began in 2005 following in the footsteps of the Orleans farmer’s market. Rick Bibeault has been managing the Hyannis market for two years.

“Orleans is the granddaddy of us all, starting about 15 years ago, and now this year we will also have an Osterville market,” Bibeault said. “Which is great because I think it is a really important thing, I mean, I grew up with a big giant garden and know what vegetables taste like and it’s not what you find in the supermarket.”

“It has to be local, either grown on Cape Cod or produced on Cape Cod,” Bibeault said. “If it’s over the bridge, they can’t come. And I mean it’s not like there’s bad stuff off Cape, but we really want to concentrate on helping our own people first.”

Stephanie Foster, a Harwich vendor adorned with a dazzling floral headpiece, brightened the market with her smile and charisma as she sold herbs and flowers. She has been selling at farmer’s markets around the Cape for six seasons.

“It has come a long way from the beginning,” she said. “A few people would come with a reusable bag, but very few. They would be the first people at the market and others just weren’t into it, and now everyone does. Now, everyone seems to be aware of what real food is about.”

Most vendors agreed that business is doing well so far this summer, but are still hoping for some sun to bring in more people.

“It has to be a community. It works both ways. The community has to come out in order for the vendors to come out,” said Mario Mariani of Pain D’Avignon. “It’s a growing thing, and this season with the weather, it prevents people from coming down as weather dictates everything down here on the Cape.”

Shoppers of all ages strolled through the market’s tents, browsing and chatting with the vendors. Brenda Mazzeo of Osterville, long-time market shopper, was enthusiastic about the market’s progress and hopes to see it grow in the future.

“I have to say, I come here every summer and I just fill up on all the wonderful vegetables and fruits,” she said. “I like the fact that it’s local. We always like to shop local; that’s a big part of it.”

The Hyannis farmers’ market is held every Wednesday, 8 a.m. to noon, June to September in the Bank of Cape Cod parking lot at 232 Main St. Across town, the Osterville farmers’ market continues at the Osterville Historical Society, 155 West Bay Road, Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.